Hermann g



(No Model.)

H. G. RAMSPBRGER.

FLASH LIGHT IGNITOR.

Patented 001;. 15, 1889.

' mm l'kzrmomm fixfRmqgwg w. BY p WITNESSESI %%a@ F d MATTORNEY UNITE STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HERMANN G. RAMSPERGER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

FLASH-LIGHT IGNITOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 412,790, dated October 15, 1889.

Application filed March 13, 1889. Serial No. 303,128. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HERMANN G. RAMSPER- GER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of New York, in the county and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Flash-Light Ignitors, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in photographic flash-light ignitors, and has for its object to prevent the accidental ignition of the charge and to present the device in a neat, compact, and portable form.

One form of flash-light ignitor now in common use consists, essentially, in a receptacle for the charge and an alcohol-lamp the flame of which is directed laterally against the charge by a blast of air. This form of ignitor is objectionable in so far that the flame is-liable to be directed against the charge by a current of air moving in the proper direction, and thereby cause a premature ignition.

\Vith the above object in view I combine with a suitable receptacle for. the charge a carrier which is guided to move toward and p from the said receptacle and contains a glowing ignitor which is adapted to come into contact with the charge, all of which is more fully pointed out in the following specification and claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 represents a central vertical section of a device embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation showing the ignitor moved toward the charge. Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation on a smaller scale than the preceding figures, showing the device complete with pneumatic bulb and coupling;

Similar letters indicate corresponding parts.

In the drawings, the letter A designates a base, and B is a receptacle arranged above the said base. To the base is affixed a vertical cylinder C, which communicates with a port a, passing radially through the base. To a suitable nozzle at the end of port a is attached a flexible tube b, Fig. 3, having at its opposite end a pneumatic bulb c for forcing air into the cylinder. To the bore of the cylinder C is fitted a carrier D, which holds a material that can be readily ignited and will thereupon burn without flamesuch, for instance, as carbon, touch-wood, or what is commonly known as punk.

In the example shown in the drawings the carrier D is in the form of a hollow plunger closed at its lower end, which receives the bar of punk, or, as I shall hereinafter term it, the ignitor, E. This carrier is so fitted to the cylinder A that it will fall of its own weight combined with that of its contents when the pressure from beneath is removed, and it is arranged in a vertical line with an orifice d in the center of the receptacle B, which receives the charge. In the lower portion of the carrier is placed a spring 6, which supports the ignitor E and continually forces the same against a needle-like stop f, secured to the upper end of the carrier, or preferably to a vertical post 9, secured in the said carrier. By this means the upper end of the ignitor is always brought to the same level as the said ignitor burns away. The post (1 is extended above the stop 0, so that when the carrieris moved toward the charge the upper end of the post will strike against the bottom of the receptacle B, and thereby limit the movement of the carrier, and also prevent the ignitor from entering the receptacle. Of course any other suitable stop could be applied to the same end.

In preparing the charge for ignition, Fig. 3, a small wad of gun-cotton or other similar material is placed in the orifice d in the bot tom of the receptacle, and the flash-light powder then poured into the receptacle and over the gun-cotton. The gun-cotton acts in the capacity of a fuse, and also assists in the combustion of the powder. By compressing the bulb cthe glowing ignitor is propelled toward the gun-cotton and ignites the same.

The receptacle ]3 for the charge :is in the example removably secured at a proper distance above the ignitor to prevent accidental ignition by a spring-holder F, the arms of which encompass a cylindrical extension on the receptacle. The body of the holder may be perforated to permit free access of air to the upper end of the ignitor.

The bar of punk, carbon, or other similar material forming the ignitor is made of sufficient length to burn for any desired length of time within reasonable limits, and it can readily be replaced when burned up by turning the post 9 around, so as to remove the stop f from its position over the carrier, the said post being provided for this purpose with a head h, which latter is also adapted to be screwed down upon the stop to hold the same, the said stop extending through the post.

Instead of arranging the flash-light ignitor vertically, it might be placed horizontally and the carrier returned to its normal position by a spring.

I do not wish to restrict myself to operating the carrier by air-pressure, as it is evident that it could be moved toward and from the charge by levers, springs, or other kindred means.

That I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is,-

1. In a flash-light ignitor, a receptacle for receiving the charge in combination with a glowing ignitor adapted to move toward the charge, substantially as described.

2. In a flash-light ignitor, a receptacle for receiving the charge, in combination with a carrier adapted to move toward the charge and provided with an ignitor, substantially as described.

3. In a flash-light ignitor, a horizontal receptacle B for the charge, having an orifice, and a carrier adapted to move toward the orifice in a vertical line and provided with an ignitor, substantially as described.

4. The combination, with a receptacle for the charge, of a cylinder arranged in line with the same,a carrier fitted in the cylinder and containing an ignitor, and means for propelling the carrier toward the charge, sub stantially as described.

5. The combination, with a receptacle for the charge, of a cylinder, a hollow carrier fitted to the cylinder and adapted to move toward the receptacle, a spring-supported ignitor within said carrier, a stop engaging the upper end of the ignitor, and a pneumatic bulb coupled to the cylinder, substantially as described.

6. The combination, with the receptacle for the charge, of a carrier adapted to move toward the receptacle and provided with a spring-supported ignitor, a post on the carrier engaging with the receptacle for limiting the movement of the carrier, and having a transversely-projecting stop engaging with the ignitor, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed my name, in presence of two witnesses, this 7th day of March, 1 S89.

HERMANN G. RAMSPERGER.

WVitnesses:

A. FABER DU FAUR, JOHN G. SCHAEFER. 

